Congratulating NASA on the 25th Anniversary of the First Flight of the Space Transportation System

CONGRATULATING NASA ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM -- (House of Representatives - April 05, 2006)

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Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in 1981, NASA embarked upon a new mission with an amazing vehicle that would take America's astronauts, satellites and space stations into the next age of man's exploration of the final frontier. Next week we will honor the 25th anniversary of that first Space Shuttle mission and reflect upon the great success of the Space Transportation System.

The Space Shuttle is widely considered the most complex machine ever built, and to date is the only spacecraft capable of putting into orbit large payloads such as the Hubble Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. It is this capacity that enables NASA and its partners to build the International Space Station, which will pave the way back to the Moon, Mars and beyond.

Accordingly, President Bush has laid out a plan that sets a goal of returning Americans to the Moon within 15 years.

President Bush's ``Vision for Space Exploration'' is a plan that is again making space exploration an exciting and educational priority for America. He has made it clear, within the next half century America will be the world leader in space exploration.

In this respect, the shuttle program remains an integral part of the President's vision as we continue the return to flight missions, complete the International Space Station and phase in the Crew Exploration Vehicle.

Equally important is the Space Shuttle's role as an icon for manned space flight, a symbol for exploration and an example of man's eternal thirst for knowledge. In this role, the Space Shuttle's mission will never end.

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